400 up: Testing station landmark on MP’s patch

The 400th Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) was officially opened at HTC in Hemel Hempstead

An ATF centre may not be as familiar to everyday motorists as an MoT garage, but to those involved in commercial transport those three letters spell progress.

When Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning was a transport minister he helped guide through the changes that meant testing of goods vehicles previously restricted to government-run centres was opened up to private firms, and in the process brought closer to the customer.

And Mr Penning was among those on hand for the official opening of the 400th Authorised Testing Facility at HTC in Boundary Way on the town’s Maylands industrial park.

The Hemel Hempstead HTC centre opened last year, and is the only TRP all makes truck and trailer parts shop in the UK.

Depot manager Jane Barrett said: “After receiving massive encouragement and best wishes from our local MP who was kind enough to cut the ribbon for us, we were elated to be given the great news from Ray Ashworth that we could soon to be appointed a DAF service/parts dealer. I am absolutely over the moon!”